Digital waitlists are an essential part of any restaurant that experiences busy customer periods. This is because an unorganized waitlist and poor table management lead to longer wait times and frustrated customers.
Restaurant waitlist apps blend management of waiting customers and table management to address this modern restaurant pain point. The popularity of this technology is so broad that customers who have a poor experience waiting their turn to dine may simply leave and never return to your restaurant.
The best restaurant waitlist app, in my opinion, combines automation, branded customer communication, and a backend tool for table management. This focus on automation and organization keeps guests informed on their wait status while allowing your FOH staff to manage the dining room.
Furthermore, this technology can sync with your kitchen to create highly efficient services, resulting in shorter wait times and more satisfied guests. There are many great options when it comes to these apps, but my top six in 2025 include SpotOn, Eat App, and Next Me.
- SpotOn Reserve: Best overall waitlist and table management app
- Eat App: Best for customer support
- NextMe: Best for waitlist organization
- OpenTable: Best for restaurants that rely heavily on Uber Eats
- Waitlist Me: Best for customer and staff assignments
- TablesReady: Best for self-check-in options
These restaurant waitlist apps offer what you will need to organize customers, automate their waiting experience, and ensure the best experience possible at your restaurant. The apps in this guide all have a unique selling point to them, but each ensures that waiting to dine at your restaurant, and actually sitting down at a table, is fun, engaging, and headache-free.
Waitlist and table management apps at a glance
| My rating | Starting monthly price | SMS/text updates | Customizable table turn times | |
 SpotOn Reserve | 4.97/5 | $0 | ✓ | ✓ |
 Eat App | 4.65/5 | $0 | ✓ | ✓ |
 NextMe | 4.63/5 | $0 | ✓ | ✓ |
 OpenTable | 4.53/5 | $149 | ✓ | ✓ |
 Waitlist Me | 4.50/5 | $27.99 | ✓ | ✓ |
 TablesReady | 4.49/5 | $0 | ✓ | X |
SpotOn Reserve: Best overall waitlist and table management app
Pros
Cons
SpotOn Reserve is, without a doubt, the best option there is for waitlist and table management in a restaurant. It’s the leader when it comes to a free waitlist app for restaurants. This app has everything you need to ensure your table management and waitlist are managed efficiently.
What I find SpotOn does super well is really emphasize transparency to the customer. For too many restaurants, a waitlist or the limited stock of available tables can be a major issue. SpotOn gives both restaurant operators and customers every available tool to eliminate confusion and deliver a truly immersive experience when waiting for a table to open up.
SpotOn Reserve also comes with key data and analytics features, designed to ensure that guests return time and time again. SpotOn’s different tools, such as SpotOn Marketing, intertwine with their waitlist management system, leading to some incredible functionality and accessibility for operators to delight their customers. If you’re looking for waitlist and table management in 2025, SpotOn Reserve is your best bet.
What actual users say:
The below comments speak to SpotOn’s responsiveness in customer service, and the general easy-to-use service this app offers. Many users found it hard to have any negative critique of the system, but some did share that more complex tools were somewhat confusing to use.
I believe that the tools are very in-depth in some scenarios, so more training on behalf of the operator will be necessary to unlock the system fully. Below are some examples of these reviews:
- “When we ran into any issues, they were quick to make adjustments or fix the issue with a satisfactory resolution.” — Anonymous G2 review
- “With [sensitive content hidden] help, we have been able to easily manage multiple locations and administrators. Our overall experience with [sensitive content hidden] has been nothing short of exceptional, and we highly recommend his services to any restaurant business.” — Antonio R., Capterra review
- “It took a bit of getting used to once we implemented. I’m not sure if it’s the fact that we were with our old system for many years prior, and we were used to it, but relearning was the hardest part.” — Bill C., Capterra review
- Quick Start: $0/month
- Counter-Service: $99/month + $3/employee/month
- Full-Service: $135/month + $3/employee/month
- Customize Your Own: Custom pricing
Two-way texting: SpotOn’s two-way texting features are a highlight for not only customers but also your staff. The ability to coordinate with staff and communicate wait times to customers is invaluable. Furthermore, your staff can reach out to customers to see their status, which in turn helps with turning tables and managing your dining room during a busy service.
Automatic wait times: SpotOn Reserve’s backend tools track your dining room through its POS system and offer real-time waitlist updates for both staff and customers. This feature uses your dining room data to get the most accurate wait times possible, and customers can see automatic updates directly on their phones.
Easy check-in: Checking in with SpotOn is meant to be easy, with a simple tap of a few buttons at the host stand. If that’s not easy enough, guests can also check themselves in online, which then integrates into SpotOn’s POS system.
Table management analytics: I relied on data when I managed restaurants, and that’s why I love SpotOn’s table management analytics. SpotOn tracks your operation and offers easy-to-view data on table turnover times, the efficiency of your waitlist, and other key data points that improve your dining room service.
Online booking: The diversity in which a customer can access a reservation through SpotOn is astounding. Diners can make reservations through social media sites, websites, and Google. This robust array of ways to reserve a table eliminates any friction a customer may experience when trying to book a table at your restaurant.
Eat App: Best for customer support
Pros
Cons
Eat App is very intuitive with how it handles table management and waitlist organization. By far, my favorite tool offered by the app is its availability calendar, which clearly showcases the room available in your dining room and when tables are likely to open. This, paired with the smart grid kitchen management tools, allows for stellar control over how you navigate seating your customers.
Eat App does offer automated tools, such as guest reminders and waitlist time estimates, and is very easy to navigate. Their onboarding and customer support are second to none, and many reviews highlight the excellent support they feel when using the site.
Some minor features are missing, such as customer self-check-in, but overall, this app is an excellent choice if you’re willing to pay for the higher tiers.
What actual users say:
Users find the Eat App user-friendly, with the support of onboarding and a general knowledge center to be robust and easy to access. Some users find it frustrating to have more robust tools priced at a higher rate, and do find some POS integration issues from time to time.
To me, this is simply just a complaint on pricing, and if the price is willing to be paid, then users will have a great experience. Also, Eat App’s support structure can help solve these issues for a better user experience.
- “Eat App is very user-friendly. Easy to train my staff on and easy to use on the back end from management.” — Jade D., G2 review
- “We would prefer a restriction on the number of tables rather than the covers, but the Eat App team is actively trying to set this up for us.” — Charlotte C., Capterra review
- “It’s extremely easy to use and has a lot of advanced features which enable the user to navigate through it without any complications. Great support system also, available 24/7.” — Georgia S., G2 review
- Free: $0/month (up to 30 covers a month)
- Starter: $49/month, billed annually (up to 300 covers a month)
- Essential: $129/month, billed annually (unlimited covers a month)
- Pro: $22/month, billed annually (unlimited covers a month)
Availability calendar: Eat App’s availability calendar allows users to get a comprehensive view of waitstaff shifts, customer preferences, events, and blocked hours all in one place. This makes it incredibly easy and efficient to manage your week before it even begins.
Built-in CRM system: Eat App allows you to send reminders and communicate with guests via text, email, and even WhatsApp. This availability is crucial to both key communication and ensuring your customers arrive on time to dine.
Huddle reports: Eat App compiles your shifts into useful reports, which you can then use to prepare your staff for the service ahead. These reports can display cancellations and no-shows from previous days, allowing you to access key guest information for pre-shift meetings quickly.
Dining room table map: Eat App’s dining room map digitally re-creates your dining room to bolster your host’s stand. You can visualize tables in real-time and track timing on them, allowing you to seat guests faster while being efficient with your table usage.
Smart Grid: An awesome feature Eat App offers is the Smart Grid, a tool that uses kitchen data to determine your general wait times and status of each table. This can also share kitchen capacity, a key metric that avoids overserving and overwhelming your back-of-house crew.
NextMe: Best for waitlist organization
Pros
Cons
NextMe is excellent for waitlist management. It’s specifically designed for this function and makes every effort to give customers a waiting experience like no other.
NextMe’s self-check-in options, virtual waiting rooms, and focus on branded waiting experiences make it a game-changer for restaurants that experience longer wait times. User reviews are favorable to these tools, showing their real-world application does, in fact, make a difference.
NextMe focuses on helping restaurants empower their guests. This may sound like a cute marketing gimmick at first, but allowing guests to check their wait times can turn a potentially frustrating process into one that is in their control.
While some of NextMe’s better options are hidden behind higher-tier pricing, the app is great for those who want a focus on bettering their waitlist options.
What actual users say:
Users are thrilled with how intuitive NextMe is for their waitlist management, and praise its tools and overall accessibility. It does seem that some updates require manual or in-person training, which can be a drawback, but most reviews are positive and showcase NextMe’s dedication to their product.
I believe if NextMe’s updates had more automation implemented, then this service would climb in a future update.
- “With NextME, the process has become more efficient, so we need a smaller staff. Customers who leave their reviews online say they love the new system because it’s very organized and lets them plan their wait time outside the restaurant. Positive reviews, in turn, bring even more customers to our restaurant.” — Craig B., Capterra review
- “Love NextME simplicity and how quick it is to onboard your staff. The app is very slick, and there is little to no training required to get started. Really helps us enhance our customers’ experience during dreaded wait times and also improves our customer retention rates.” — Restaurant user, G2 review
- “We’ve been using NextME on an iPad since its launch. Someone from their team comes to the store to help install each new update. They help our host run through the update, make sure it’s understood, and find out if we have any input. The app also provides analytics to the back of the house after every shift.” — Chris R., Capterra review
- Free: $0/month for one user, billed annually
- Starter: $49.99/month for five users, billed annually
- Business: $79.99/month for 10 users, billed annually
- Custom: Custom pricing
Virtual waiting room: The virtual waiting room feature is a game-changer for restaurant owners wanting to give customers an immersive waitlist experience. This feature allows customers to check their place in line and see promotions on offer. The room is even branded to your restaurant’s specific theme or concept.
Self-check-in: NextMe’s self-check-in option allows guests to join the virtual waitlist as shared above. Guests can join from your website, a QR code, or at a kiosk at your business. The sign-up form is even branded to your restaurant.
Bookings: NextMe offers an easy and efficient guest management tool that allows you to view your reservations and make adjustments as needed. Furthermore, you can customize restaurant appointment messaging notifications, which allows you to integrate your restaurant’s brand through any consumer messaging.
Analytics: The analytics for NextMe are great, with performance summaries for your business that can be found within any given date range. Key metrics, including customer retention rates, average wait times, and peak hours for customers, are all provided.
SMS two-way communication: NextMe provides two-way SMS communication. You can brand your initial messaging to your restaurant’s theme, and this communication tool can make the virtual waiting room feel much more exclusive.
OpenTable: Best for restaurants that rely heavily on Uber Eats
Pros
Cons
OpenTable has been a titan in the table management space for quite some time, offering great integrations and a really easy-to-use service. An upcoming partnership with Uber Eats is expanding the service even further, and showcases the constant commitment to evolution that the company has.
Their integration library is vast, offering your restaurant’s reservations through apps such as Snapchat and even TikTok.
The biggest drawback to OpenTable is its high price tag. This higher price for a monthly subscription may deter some users, but once paid, the service is well worth it. OpenTable has a robust suite of tools and is one of the more premium options a restaurant can choose when it comes to waitlist and table management apps.
What actual users say:
The sentiment across OpenTable reviews is that it’s a great service, only held back by its higher monthly cost. Cost is often the main, if only, reason why users leave poor reviews.
I have personally used OpenTable and love its layout. If you’re organized and focused on data, then OpenTable will equally impress you as well.
- “While OpenTable is a powerful tool, the cost can be a barrier, especially for independent restaurants. I also think there’s room for improvement in how the platform integrates with other systems like POS or marketing tools. More customization for reservation pacing and better insights into guest behavior would also be valuable.” — Calvin Y., G2 review
- “Optimized bookings, seating flow, and intuitive reservation booking. The status updates for tabling is incredibly helpful as well.” — Joelle R., Capterra review
- “The app is very intuitive, and I like that the service helps us to promote our restaurant and drives diners to us.” — Simon B., G2 review
- Basic: $149/month, plus a per-cover fee
- Core: $299/month*
- Pro: $499/month*
*According to third-party sources
Integrations: It cannot be overstated how many different integrations OpenTable offers. The vastness of these integrations is spread across social media sites, booking partners, menus, loyalty programs, email marketing, and payment platforms.
Their upcoming partnership with Uber Eats will further this technological integration focus, and is what defines OpenTable’s waitlist and table management app.
Smart Table Management: OpenTable allows you to customize your restaurant floor plans with different table types (including bar seating) and generate customized reports on each table. OpenTable offers automatic table statuses and even recommends how to manage tables in your dining room, using real-time data.
Guest profiles: OpenTable offers you the ability to create robust, rich guest profiles. An automated pre-shift report is generated daily, allowing restaurant operators to tailor their hospitality to key customers. You can even auto-tag frequent guests, allowing you to build loyalty that, in turn, encourages them to keep coming back.
Waitlist: The waitlist feature for OpenTable delivers efficient SMS notification tools, party size customization, and a real-time wait time for guests. OpenTable allows you to customize automatic wait times, ensuring you have total control over your waitlist, while also giving your guests the freedom to wait from anywhere, thanks to the mobile nature of the waitlist.
Waitlist Me: Best for customer and staff assignments
Pros
Cons
Waitlist Me is a mid-tier-priced tool with excellent staff assignment functionality. The core function of being a waitlist app is quite good, but being able to assign staff to tables and really focus on the service aspect of your dining room is what I find very appealing about this app.
Waitlist Me’s self-check-in feature is also robust, offering a dedicated mode on an iPad akin to a self-serve kiosk. Where Wailist Me falters is in its customer support.
The customer support functions on Waitlist Me are more limited compared to those of other services in this guide. Furthermore, the lack of a prepayment feature can be limiting for some restaurants, as this is a great way to attract larger groups or simply ensure that guests commit to their reservations.
What actual users say:
As stated above, user reviews on Waitlist Me are pretty limited. Of the reviews out there, many praise the simplicity of the tools and how much time the app saves. The biggest issue seems to be a lack of direct customer support or longer wait times for issues to be resolved.
I do think the website leaves some room for more engaging support resources, so I can see frustration or confusion playing out with some users of this system.
- “Works great for my business and saves time for my staff.” — Alexandre A., Google review
- “I would like a more direct contact.” — Lorena T., G2 review
- Premium: $27.99/month for 1,000 notifications per month, billed annually
- Pro: $47.99/month for 2,000 notifications per month, billed annually
- Platinum: $79.99/month for 5,000 notifications, billed annually
Assignments: Waitlist Me’s assignment tools are there to let you assign customers to tables, staff to tables, or even to manage a queue in a waitlist line. The tracker on these “assignments” lets you better understand table turn times and is an efficient tool for better customer success.
Easy notifications: Waitlist Me delivers customer notifications with ease. Just the push of a button allows you to notify customers that their table is ready or where they are in the waitlist. Notifications are ideal for faster-paced restaurants.
iPad kiosk: The iPad kiosk feature can be a game-changer for QSR concepts. Setting up a self-serve check-in kiosk for a restaurant like this can save time and money while allowing staff to manage the operation more effectively.
Straightforward software: If you’re looking for a straightforward waitlist app that’s easy to train staff on, then this is the app for you. Don’t expect frills or difficult systems, but rather a system that works as you expect, and is extremely easy to scale across your staff.
TablesReady: Best for self-check-in options
Pros
Cons
TablesReady is a reputable table management and waitlist app that is used throughout the restaurant industry. The service has most of the tools you’ll need to ensure the success of your waitlist, and keeps tools such as predictive wait times and real-time updates at hand.
Much like others in this guide, you can customize the SMS messaging you send to your guests, which also allows them to check their place in line without bothering your staff. The SMS messaging they provide ensures your customers can check in, inquire about the wait times, and even leave the waitlist all through automated messaging.
Square users will find value in TablesReady, as it offers direct integration with the POS system. Their drag-and-drop floor planner makes it easy to map out your dining room, and managing existing parties is effortless with an intuitive calendar that updates in real-time.
TablesReady lacks customizable table turn times. But overall, it’s a great tool for waitlist and table management.
What actual users say:
General user sentiment of TablesReady praises the easy and innovative approach they take to table and waitlist organization. Some users have reported issues with certain deeper mechanics that may be missing compared to other services; however, user reviews generally have a very positive sentiment.
Beyond some missing features, I found some reviews don’t have any negative sentiment towards the service, which is a very good sign.
- “I found this software and was impressed how easy it was to navigate and show my employees how to use it.” — Ellen M., Capterra review
- “The interface could use a refresh. It’s a little dated. Hey, hey, at least it works!” — Casey H., G2 review
- “TablesReady has been super great at taking our long waitlist (which was on paper) and creating a whole different experience. This has gotten people in and out quickly without people coming up to our desk every five minutes to see where they are at. This was super easy to implement without staff as well! Overall super easy and I love the amount of features it provides for us.” — Verified user, G2 review
- Free: $0/month
- Starter: $39/month
- Business: $79/month
Self-check-in messaging: TablesReady’s self-check-in messaging is a really effective way to manage a longer waitlist. This messaging tracks your restaurant’s waitlist in real time, ensuring accurate data for customers. This frees up FOH staff, allowing them to focus on the work in the dining room.
Table management: TablesReady offers an interactive and intuitive table map that can be edited to the layout of your specific dining room. This control enables you to visualize your customers and ensures that no table is left without proper planning during peak business hours.
Square POS Integration: Square POS is one of the most popular POS systems on the market. This direct integration with TablesReady makes the table management app a likely must-have for existing Square POS customers.
Diverse waitlist engagement: What stands out for TablesReady is the diverse ways customers can self-check in to a waitlist. Host stands, kiosks, text messaging, websites, and even a Google integration are all there to ensure your customers can find a spot when waiting to dine at your establishment.
How to choose the right waitlist app for your restaurant
Choosing the right waitlist and table management app for your restaurant is crucial but often overlooked. The best waitlist apps for restaurants will be the first point of positive contact with customers, showcasing your brand and the experience ahead.
If your app is not fluid, easy to use, and accurate, it can lead to poor customer experiences. Furthermore, the backend functions of these apps organize your dining room, and if the app is not working right, then major issues can occur during service.
Important factors to consider
- Determine the best pricing for your restaurant: Pricing is always a key factor in determining the best option for a restaurant. Many apps in our guide have free plans, but what is often more important is whether a plan has a reasonable monthly subscription price.
The tiers offered should also have value that is comparable to the price being paid. I would also suggest ensuring that the plans you choose offer flexibility or a trial period, as this allows you to test an app without a long-term financial commitment. - Look for guest communication and automation tools: One key aspect of the waitlist apps that I enjoy is the ability to have clear and direct communication with guests. Being able to send wait times, table alerts, and other key information to guests can help them manage their expectations for longer wait times, while staying informed as to when their table is ready.
Additionally, allowing guests to self-check in can be a key way to free up dining room staff and better manage long wait times for those who want to dine in at your restaurant. - Back-end dining room table management tools should also be considered: When it comes to the waitlist table management apps I have worked with, having customizable back-end tools is key. This included the ability to customize table turn times, which dictate how long a guest can be seated at a table for any given time.
Being able to guide the flow of service, add guest notes, and develop more effective floor plans is critical to the success of dining room management. I have always found the dining room floor plan building tools to be critical to how I manage long wait times, and they’re definitely a feature I’d recommend in any dining room management software. - General support should be offered to users: The best waitlist and table management apps offer both great onboarding guidance and consistent customer support.
Customers are fickle when it comes to waiting for a table at a restaurant, so having support when your system experiences issues is vital to the success of your restaurant. Additionally, knowledge resources and live customer support are often the key difference between good and great waitlist apps. - Ask local chefs and look for online reviews: Before using a new tool in a restaurant, I ask local chefs in my community about their personal experiences with the tool. I also look for online reviews on reputable sites, where I can actually dig into the benefits and the complaints of each system being reviewed.
Real-world feedback helps cut through marketing and gets right to the source of your question: Is this app worth my time and money? By asking your local chef community and looking into online reviews, you can validate whether a system is worth using in your restaurant.
Top features to look for in a restaurant waitlist app
There are many key features I believe every restaurant operator needs to look for when determining the best table management app for their business. I suggest you look for the following key features in your waitlist solution.
- Mobile guest check-in: Mobile guest check-in allows your guests to check in when they arrive. This feature allows for more efficiency with your greeting staff and helps your guest understand their wait time for a table.
- SMS updates: SMS updates are great, as they’re quick and keep guests informed on how long they will wait for their table. This feature can also give key updates, ensuring customers are engaged while waiting to dine.
- POS system integrations: Having a waitlist app that can integrate with your POS system is vital. This integration enables better connectivity and ensures that your dining room is managed in sync with customer waitlist expectations.
- Table assignment tools: The table assignment tools these apps offer are twofold. They are used to assign staff members to these tables and assign guests to these tables. If you want total control of your dining room, then these tools are key.
- Guest data capture: The ability to capture guest data can be important for hospitality opportunities. These tools capture birthdays, guest allergies, and other useful information.
- Staff access control: Having control of who can access these tools on your staff is important for better overall management. Not every staff member necessarily needs access to table management tools, so having guardrails in place is a smart idea.
How I evaluated the best waitlist and table management apps
As with all of our buyer’s guides, I utilized a vast amount of different scoring criteria in order to determine which app is best for your restaurant. This criterion is robust and digs deep into what each provider offers, as well as what they may not offer.
Below is an overall breakdown of how I scored our providers.
Pricing: 30%
Pricing is often the first and most important factor for those looking for a waitlist and table management app. I considered whether a free trial or plan was offered, and if not, then what the starting price per month was.
I then considered if a monthly billing was available, and if the pricing was transparent and upfront. Finally, I looked to see the value offered of each pricing tier, and if the contract offered was flexible with its cancellation policy.
General features: 25%
The general features section of our scoring rubric noted SMS alert availability and customizable table turn times. I also looked for a waitlist time estimator for guests, walk-in management, and POS integrations.
The other key features I decided every app should have include customizable service periods, easy booking widgets for mobile and website use, and guest notes or preference tags.
Advanced features: 20%
The advanced niche section of our scoring took a deeper dive into the many features a waitlist app has to offer. For starters, customizable floor plan builds and guest self-check-in were considered.
I then looked for reservations through Google and social media, follow-up automations, and reservation reporting. I also looked for prepaid booking options, special event reservation options, and a system that supports multiple languages.
Support: 15%
I understand that technology isn’t perfect, but restaurants keep on going, regardless of technical issues. My support criteria looked for key ways that the app supported users in times of need, including available customer service hours and live customer support options.
Onboarding support, knowledge bases, and training or webinars were also noted to ensure that support was available in key situations.
Expert score & user reviews: 10%
The final piece of scoring for the guide centered on the actual expert score I assigned to each app. This score takes into account all that is offered, real-world experience, and customer reviews. I also considered the average user score across platforms and the number of reviews to validate these scores.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Waitlist and table management are often overlooked yet critical components of restaurant management. The difference between a good and a flawed management system can literally mean the risk of missing out on key business opportunities within your hours of operation.
Below are the most frequently asked questions regarding waitlist and table management apps.
Last bite
Managing a waitlist and tables in a restaurant is crucial, as it can determine whether a customer stays or chooses another restaurant. Waitlist tools keep customers engaged, create transparency, and, when done right, help promote the brand. Table management in dining rooms is key for divying up labor, turning tables efficiently, and focusing on ensuring the best guest experience for each seating.
With all of that being said, SpotOn Reserve is the best waitlist and table management app in 2025, thanks to its numerous functions that address the challenges of managing waiting customers and the need for efficient table management.
